SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA / RankWire.AI / – In South Korea, prices for fresh vegetables have risen sharply due to ongoing severe heat, which has curtailed shipments and damaged farm productivity across the country. Data from Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corp. indicated that on August 7, spinach was priced at 1,978 won per 100 grams, marking a 152.3% increase from the previous month. Meanwhile, ten cucumbers were sold for 8,313 won, representing a 54.8% rise. Blue lettuce experienced a 41.7% increase, and zucchini prices climbed 46.6% to 1,504 won.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs attributed these price hikes to persistently high temperatures impacting crops sensitive to heat. Vegetables such as spinach, cucumbers, and zucchini typically thrive in cooler conditions, but extreme heat can hinder their growth and reduce harvest yields. South Korea has faced extraordinary temperatures during the current heat wave, with Yangsan in the southeast reaching 42.5 degrees Celsius on Aug. 2—the highest temperature recorded nationally since weather records began in 1904.
The intense heat has also caused significant losses in livestock farms, with a total of 901,602 animal deaths recorded by Aug. 7. Poultry, including chickens and ducks, accounted for approximately 95% of these fatalities. Authorities reported that livestock deaths are roughly 55% of the figure recorded during the same period last year. On Aug. 7, the retail price of broiler chicken was 5,925 won per kilogram, falling below 6,000 won for the first time since February.
Farms and fisheries suffer damage from heat and high temperatures
Rising water temperatures have added further pressure to South Korea’s food sector. Coastal aquaculture farms saw 864,497 fish die through Aug. 7 as waters warmed. The weekly average auction price for one kilogram of flounder reached 22,300 won between July 27 and Aug. 1, reflecting a 2.29% increase week-over-week and a 13.2% rise compared to the same period last year. Warnings about high water temperatures in coastal areas expanded to 17 regions by Aug. 7.
To mitigate the heat wave’s impact, the government has implemented measures to stabilize food supplies. These include increasing imports of broiler chickens and promoting discounts on fish at major retail outlets. Support initiatives for farms exposed to extreme heat comprise misting devices, shading materials, and ventilation systems. Additionally, authorities strengthened the agricultural disaster response system from Aug. 7, establishing a special management period for heat and drought as damages accumulated across farming areas.
Rising prices for fresh produce contrast with July’s eased inflation
The recent spike in vegetable prices occurs against a backdrop of generally declining inflation in July. South Korea’s consumer price index stood at 119.77, based on a 2020 reference point of 100. Prices decreased by 0.2% from June but increased 2.8% compared to July 2025. The inflation rate for July slowed from 3.2% in June. The latest retail vegetable price data, dated Aug. 7, reflect conditions after the period covered by the July consumer inflation report.
These increases in food prices underscore the immediate economic repercussions of South Korea’s record-breaking heat on fresh produce and aquaculture. Spinach experienced the largest monthly increase among widely monitored vegetables, while cucumbers, lettuce, and zucchini also saw significant price jumps. Livestock and fish farms reported hundreds of thousands of heat-related losses, although chicken retail prices remained below recent peaks. Combined efforts through government supply measures, retail discounts, and emergency agricultural programs continue as the extreme summer conditions persist and disrupt food production.